The questionnaire for primary and secondary schools involves "suicide preparedness", but it is just "loose control"?

Author: Zhu Changjun

In response to the recent online rumors that the questionnaires of many primary and secondary schools in Changning in Shanghai involve "suicide preparedness", on the morning of November 19, the official WeChat account of the Shanghai Changning District Education Bureau issued a relevant information circular saying: Our bureau has requested the end of the questionnaire work. After preliminary verification, the District Mental Health Counseling Center for Minors and the relevant departments of our bureau did not strictly control the content of the questionnaire, which caused confusion among students and concerns of parents, and our bureau sincerely apologized for this. Our bureau will further investigate and deal with it, and learn lessons, learn from each other, strictly manage, close home-school communication, and jointly protect the physical and mental health of students.

"How well did you prepare for suicide in the last week when you wanted to end your life by external forces, i.e., with 'passive suicidal desires'", "At the most depressed and melancholy times, how well did you prepare for suicide"... In a questionnaire survey for middle school students, nearly 40 of the more than 120 questions were similar directly related to suicide, which was really surprising, and could not help but worry about what negative implications such a questionnaire would have for primary and secondary school students.

According to the response of the local education bureau, this matter is mainly caused by the relevant responsible institutions' lax review of the content of the questionnaire, but the questionnaire with such doubts about its reasonableness was issued in a dignified manner, and it was found "inappropriate" after the survey because of the feedback of students and parents. After all, students and parents are generally confused and worried, but as a professional institution, they are completely unaware of the problem, which is really unreasonable and more disturbing.

Is this an overreaction by parents and even public opinion, or is the professionalism of the relevant institutions doubtful, or has not really considered the possible negative impact of the questionnaire? These questions also need to be more clearly responded to by relevant parties in combination with science and professionalism. At the same time, this is also an opportunity to enhance the scientific understanding of students and parents on psychological questionnaires, and relevant parties can also understand the real ideas of students and parents, which is conducive to doing a better job.

From a common sense point of view, it does not mean that children should be completely isolated from the "topic of suicide", but it is undoubtedly necessary to pay attention to ways and methods to let children understand this problem and guide them to look at the "suicide phenomenon" correctly. Because once there is a deviation, it is likely to be counterproductive.

However, at least from some of the problems exposed this time, many expressions and questioning methods are obviously debatable, such as some questions showing strong inducement, and even describing specific suicide steps. And almost one-third of the problems are related to suicide, which is probably beyond the psychological receptivity of primary and secondary school students. For example, the parent committee of a primary school said in a letter of recommendation to the local education bureau that parents found that their children's understanding and interest in suicide had increased in communication with their children. So what kind of negative impact this will bring to the child, it is indeed not to be underestimated.

In recent years, the mental health problems of adolescents have received increasing attention. For example, not long ago, the Ministry of Education made it clear in its reply to the CPPCC's "Proposal on Further Implementing Measures for the Prevention and Treatment of Adolescent Depression" that depression screening will be included in the content of student health examinations, establish student mental health files, assess students' mental health status, and pay close attention to students with abnormal assessment results. This is obviously a good thing and necessary. However, how to scientifically assess and effectively intervene in students' mental health is a very professional and measured matter, and there is absolutely no room for chaos. For example, should parents be notified in advance? For students in different situations, should there be differentiated measures and methods? After the investigation and evaluation, whether there should be timely targeted intervention according to feedback, etc., all test the professionalism and sense of responsibility of the relevant aspects.

It is foreseeable that in the future, there will be more and more questionnaires for students' mental health, or mental health assessments, and even become normalized. Realistically, this is undoubtedly good. However, as the social concerns caused by this questionnaire survey show that how to ensure the professionalism of all links and ensure that the way of paying attention to children's mental health is itself "healthy" also depends on the stricter control and scientific and careful institutional arrangements made by relevant parties. (Zhu Changjun)

Source: Guangming Network - Commentary Channel